West Ham United on verge of signing Nayef Aguerd as deal sweetened by £4.2m
West Ham are close to wrapping up a deal to sign Rennes centre-back Nayef Aguerd after sweetening up their deal with £4.2million in add-ons, according to The Guardian.
The newspaper reported on 31 May that the Hammers have made a bid of £29.8million to sign the 26-year-old as David Moyes aims to sign a new left-sided centre-half to add to his squad ahead of next season.
It is understood that “there is growing confidence” that the Morocco international will soon head to the London Stadium but his move to the Irons could cast doubt on Issa Diop’s future.
The Guardian adds that Diop, 25, “could be available” this summer as a result of Aguerd’s potential move to the capital as negotiations rumble on with Rennes.
Cough up
If West Ham want Aguerd that badly then why not just pay the extra few million that Rennes probably want and get the deal over and done with.
We’re fed up of the Hammers dragging their heels through negotiations to try and save on what is in football terms, the equivalent of loose change.
Aguerd has enjoyed a good season in Ligue 1 with Rennes, helping them qualify for the Champions League.
Only three teams conceded fewer than Rennes in France’s top-flight and Aguerd no doubt played a massive role in that success.
West Ham need to get to work adding to numerous areas of their squad.
Our defence has been in need of some TLC for a while with Angelo Ogbonna – the club’s only left-sided centre-back – struggling with injuries and potentially showing his age a bit.
We’re fine for right-sided defenders, which is why the question has been raised about Diop’s future in East London, but on the left, we cannot rely on Aaron Cresswell as a makeshift centre-half.
In other West Ham news, an offer has been made to make a behind-the-scenes appointment at the club.
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